What better way to kick off a weekend than with new music? Fridays are always chock full of the latest songs and albums ready to be the soundtrack to everyone’s antics, and here you’ll find some of the week’s standout releases. Whether you’re ready to spin an anticipated song from a favorite artist or just taking a look at what’s out there, there’s a whole lot of tunes to dive right into. Who knows—maybe you’ll find your next obsession.
Drake
Dark Lane Demo Tapes
It’s not a real summer without Drake getting into the mix. He’s already brought reckoning onto the charts with his insta-hit “Toosie Slide”—making him the first male artist to have three number one debuts—and he’s not stopping there. Dark Lane Demo Tapes is his latest project featuring an array of tracks released over the past couple of months along with some brand new ones. It’s more than enough to occupy playlists until a promised proper LP arrives later in the season.
Dixie Chicks
“Julianna Calm Down”
Album delays suck. They suck very badly. Then again, Dixie Chicks fans have already waited 14 years for a new record. What’s another couple of weeks, right? “Julianna Calm Down” follows up their electric “Gaslighter” with a heartfelt and emotional jam. Their Gaslighter LP unfortunately doesn’t have a new release date yet, but the new cut is indicative of a record that’ll span across styles.
Marshmello & Halsey
“Be Kind”
Marshmello, a man of many talents, is at his best when collaborating with the biggest stars in music. His accessible production goes hand in hand with hooks from the song’s usual guest vocalist—his new cut with Halsey is no different. “Be Kind” is a breezy head-bopper—far more upbeat than Halsey’s recent material.
Phantom Planet
“Only One”
Reuniting here and there for over a decade, Phantom Planet are putting things into full swing. Their comeback album, Devastator, builds on the pop-garage rock that they’ve been crafting since the beginning of their careers. “Only One” is the latest taste from that record—it’s a sweeping pop tune that fits best in the soundtrack of a cult-classic rom-com.
Emarosa
“So Bad (Lliam + Latroit Remix)”
Bands like Emarosa normally aren’t the kind to delve into the remix game but, ever since their shift from post-hardcore to a mainstream pop sound, it’s an avenue that fits them perfectly. “So Bad”, one of Peach Club’s standouts, gets a remix treatment from producers Lliam Taylor and Grammy Award-winning DJ Latroit, beefing up the already-bouncy number into an all-out dance party.
Hot Chelle Rae
“B.O.R.E.D.”
“B.O.R.E.D.” is the result of having far too much time to yourself, pounding down whatever you have in the liquor cabinet, and pressing a couple of buttons in Pro Tools to see what happens. We feel you, Hot Chelle Rae—we’re bored, too. But, like, maybe channel that into cooking instead.
Our Last Night
Let Light Overcome the Darkness
Let Light Overcome the Darkness is the culmination of 2019 for Our Last Night. A combination of their two EPs makes for a monstrous 18 song compilation record, but not one without its fair share of bonus material. Rounding out the rest of the collection are acoustics, live performances, and more—just in case you need a little break from all of their covers.
Machine Gun Kelly
“Bloody Valentine”
Machine Gun Kelly’s pop-punk album sounded like a parody idea at first but previous rock-influenced MGK songs and recent studio clips make you wonder why it wasn’t done sooner. “Bloody Valentine”, the first single off his new record, shines mostly in its nostalgic pop-punk instrumentation—thanks to producer and drummer Travis Barker. It’s not an exaggeration to say that there’s definitely Blink-182 influence in there. Whether MGK’s vocals fit the genre is up for debate but pop-punk has always been surrounded by its share of weird vocalists.
Haim
“I Know Alone”
Haim’s “I Know Alone” is an anthem for the isolated—an uplifting one at that. The synth-pop influenced track has glitchy vocal effects and a sense of urgency that hasn’t quite been tapped into like it has now. Off their new album out next month, it’s clear that the LP won’t be short of bangers that come with a side of personal lyrical content.
Other new releases:
Kehlani- “F&MU”
Future – “D4L”
JoJo – “Comeback (feat. Tory Lanez & 30 Roc)”
MAX, Hayley Kiyoko – “Missed Calls”
Sammy Adams – “On My Own”
Boston Manor – “Brand New Kids”
CHVRCHES – “Forever (Separate But Together)”
The Hunna – “Dark Times”
BANNERS – Always Yours – EP
Little Hurt – “Alaska”
Whethan & bülow – “So Good”
Illenium, X Ambassadors – “In Your Arms (acoustic)”
Tenacious D – “5 Needs”
Kodaline – “Saving Grace”
Oasis – “Don’t Stop”
Oh Wonder – “I Like It When You Love Me”
Doja Cat – “Say So – Remix (feat. Nicki Minaj)”
French Montana – “Cold (feat. Tory Lanez)”
Megan Thee Stallion – “Savage – Remix (feat. Beyonce)”
Khalid – “Eleven – Remix (feat. Summer Walker)”
Brandy – “Baby Mama (feat. Chance the Rapper)”
Lil Uzi Vert – “Sasuke”
Cazette – “Missing You”
GASHI – “Butterflies”
H.E.R. – “Wrong Places (from Songland)”
Trey Songz – “Back Home (feat. Summer Walker)”
